Bring your favorite book and a plant to exchange; support local vendors at Fondy’s Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market; attend a Christmas giveaway; play “Islamic Jeopardy”; and celebrate Christmas at City of Light Church.
Chesnie Wardell
Chesnie Wardell serves as the intergenerational reporter for NNS. In addition, she writes features on notable North Side and South Side residents. She reported for other newsrooms like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, covered teacher vacancies through an O'Brien fellowship and was selected as an inaugural member of the New York Times Corps. She is a 2025 graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and theology.
5 things to know and do the week of Dec. 18
Participate in a group therapy session for Black and Brown men; attend a mobile food pantry at Auer Avenue School; get a bite to eat at the holiday community meal at Mitchell Street Branch; pick up your dinner box (if you have registered) at Dominican Center; and join the City of Light Church for its Christmas festivities.
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 15
Spend time with Santa at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center; have an eco-friendly holiday; learn about a nonprofit organization that helps young people; cherish the long winters with the Milwaukee Central Library; and drive to see Santa at UMOS.
5 things to know and do the week of Dec. 11
Support the Milwaukee Christian Center’s Youth Development Program; build your own snowflake at the library; join the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center for a movie night and discussion; try new foods at the Milwaukee Public Library Mitchell Street Branch; and help NNS reach our fundraising goals.
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 8
Eat pancakes with Santa; craft a wreath with the Friends of Havenswoods State Forest; feed animals at the Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley Branch; spread some holiday joy at the third annual Jolly Jamboree; and join Sole Q.U.E.E.N. at the Sole Healing Arts open mic.
5 things to know and do the week of Dec. 4
Get free produce at All Peoples Gathering Church’s table stand at West Clarke and North Second streets; attend the small business open house at Sherman Phoenix Marketplace; take a citizenship class at Mitchell Street Library; learn the ins and outs of getting and keeping health insurance; and provide input on the city’s future housing growth.
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 1
Check out “Diva Day” for female veterans; connect with a librarian over coffee, tea and donuts; kick it with your peers at Nō Studios; help plan events for the 10th anniversary of the death of Dontre Hamilton; and take a photography class at the Mitchell Park Domes.
5 things to know and do the week of Nov. 27
Receive Medicare counseling at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center; show appreciation for MilWALKee Walks volunteers; celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace; share your perspective at a dinner dialogue; and complete a survey about school calendar option at MPS.
5 things to know and do the weekend of Nov. 24
Learn how to be a certified nursing assistant; visit a group art exhibition and support local artists; enjoy a post-Thanksgiving meal around a bonfire with Karma Community Garden; register for the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee’s 53rd annual luncheon; and check out the second annual HYFIN Blackity Black Holiday Market.
5 things to know and do the week of Nov. 20
Have a man-to-man talk at Gee’s Clipper Barber and Beauty Salon; get a meal and necessities at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center; attend game night at the Milwaukee Public Library Center Street Branch; share a meal with community members at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center; and receive free legal services at the Sherman Park Community Association Building.
